EUR05-Venice

Venice

 

I saw buildings with Islamic features from the water bus, quite surprised but later Wikipedia told me it was the impact of the Byzantine empire.

Venice is really hard to navigate without a proper map. I can only go to St Mark and Rialto Bridge from the hotel without looking at the map.

Like what Josh S. said, getting lost in Venice is part of the experience too!


St Mark's Basilica

The Venetian merchants stole Mark the Evangelist's body from Egypt, rumoured to be covered in pork (Muslim cannot check), and missing his head. His symbol is a winged lion holding a book, you will be able to see it everywhere, if you pay attention.

Some mosaics in the church are very cute, the Byzantine influence (maybe Gothic?) made the mosaic quite cartoon-ish. It is definitely worthwhile to go upstairs because you can see the bronze horses, mosaic and many other stuff.


Murano Glass

 factory guy making a glass horse

main street

 

Murano glass, if it is too cheap, it is from China. I bought some cufflinks for myself and a handbag hanger for my mum.


Food

Pizzeria alla Strega (the Witch) offers creative pizza topings. We tried the "Superman" pizza, squid ink spaghetti and the Venezia beer.

We went to Sangal for their NYE menu. The atmosphere was nice, wait staff was nice (guess what happened?) and the food was incredible. However, the pace was a bit slow, and I was really full by course #6.

We dined from 7 pm to 11:45 pm and almost missed the new year count down. The group of 3 opposite us showed up at 8:30 pm and caught up around course #5. So, pro tip: book 9 pm next time.



Count Down

 before dinner, piazza

 after dinner, count down soon

 alrite, private firework is right next to us

the smoke 

I see no official fireworks after the count down, and smoke from private firework were pretty scary. The only thing I want to say is, I saw the Sydney NYE firework on TV later and I cried. I have been away for 4 NYEs, maybe I should stay home this year.


Gondola

The gondola ride is part of the complete Venice experience, our driver (rower?) is quite good looking but he can do with a little bit more hair. He demonstrated his awesome skillz when he 漂移 near the narrow canal. We went pass Marco Polo and Casanova's place too.

see the winged lion or not?

 

omg grand canal

gotta kiss when you pass this bridge

Hotel

 

What can I say? Open the window, we can see the small canal. Wifi in the room. Situated between the two landmarks that I can go without looking at the map (St Mark & Rialto), Aqua Palace is pretty damn nice for sure.


Random

傳說中的"靚仔靚景"

mask, I find them quite scary looking

 Rialto Bridge

OK, from Aeroporto Marco Polo, next stop = Nice (France)!
Other stories are all >> here <<

Bye